
1) Rear window defogger button(page 3-46)
2) Fuel filler lid and cap (page 7-5) 
3) Child safety locks (page 2-19) 
4) Tie-down hooks (page 9-13)
5) Towing hook (page 9-13) 
6) Trunk lid (page 2-22) 
7) Rear gate (page 2-25) 
8) Bulb replacement (page 11-54) 
9) Rear wiper blade assembly and rubber replacement (page 3-45) 11
– CONTINUED –  

&Front passenger ’s frontal
airbag ON and OFF indica- tors
or: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator
or: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator
The front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicators show you the status of 
the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag.
The indicators are located between the
map lights. 
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ ON ”position, both the ON and OFF
indicators illuminate for 6 seconds during
which time the system is checked. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators
extinguish for 2 seconds. After that, one of the indicators illuminates depending on
the status of the front passenger
’s SRS
frontal airbag determined by the Subaru
advanced frontal airbag system monitor-ing. 
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is activated, the passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator will illuminate while the OFF 
indicator will remain extinguished. 
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is deactivated, the passenger ’sfrontal
airbag ON indicator will remain extin- 
guished while the OFF indicator willilluminate. 
If both the ON and OFF indicators remain 
lit or extinguished simultaneously, the 
system is faulty. Contact your SUBARU 
dealer immediately for an inspection.
& CHECK ENGINE warn- 
ing light/Malfunction 
indicator lamp
CAUTION
If the CHECK ENGINE warning light/ 
malfunction indicator lamp comes
on while you are driving, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possi-
ble. Continued vehicle operation
without having the emission control system checked and repaired as
necessary could cause serious da-
mage, which may not be covered by
your vehicle
’s warranty.
If this light comes on steadily or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate
that there is a problem or potential
problem somewhere in the emission con-
trol system. ! If the light comes on steadily:
If the light comes on steadily while driving 
or does not go out after the engine starts,
an emission control system malfunction
has been detected. 
You should have your vehicle checked by 
an authorized SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
NOTE 
This light also comes on when the fuel 
filler cap is not tightened until it clicks. 
If you have recently refueled your vehicle, 
the cause of the CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator lamp coming on
could be a loose or missing fuel filler cap.
Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering
with the sealing of the cap. Tightening the
cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE
warning light/malfunction indicator lamp Instruments and controls
3-25
– CONTINUED –   

Fuel...................................................................... 7-3
Fuel requirements ............................................... 7-3
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................... 7-5
State emission testing (U.S. only) ...................... 7-7
Preparing to drive ............................................... 7-9
Starting the engine .............................................. 7-9
Manual transmission vehicle ................................ 7-9
Automatic transmission vehicle .......................... 7-10
Stopping the engine ........................................... 7-11
Remote engine start system (dealer option) ................................................. 7-11
Starting your vehicle .......................................... 7-12
Remote start safety features ............................... 7-12
Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote start ................................................................. 7-12
Entering the vehicle following remote engine start shutdown ......................................................... 7-12
Pre-heating or pre-cooling the interior of the vehicle ............................................................. 7-13
Service mode ..................................................... 7-13
Remote transmitter programming and programmable feature option ............................ 7-13
System maintenance .......................................... 7-14
Manual transmission –5 speeds ...................... 7-15
Shifting speeds .................................................. 7-15
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-16
Manual transmission –6 speeds (2.5GT
spec.B) ............................................................. 7-17
Selecting reverse gear ........................................ 7-17
Shifting speeds .................................................. 7-17
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-18 Automatic transmission
–4-speed ................... 7-18
Selector lever .................................................... 7-19
Selector lever reverse inhibiting function ............ 7-20
Selection of manual mode .................................. 7-21
Maximum speeds ............................................... 7-22
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-23
SPORT mode ..................................................... 7-23
Shift lock release ............................................... 7-23
Automatic transmission –5-speed ................... 7-24
Selector lever .................................................... 7-25
Selector lever reverse inhibiting function ............ 7-26
Selection of manual mode .................................. 7-27
Maximum speeds ............................................... 7-29
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-29
SPORT mode (Non-turbo models) ....................... 7-30
Shift lock release ............................................... 7-30
SI-DRIVE (Turbo models) .................................. 7-31
Intelligent (I) mode ............................................. 7-31
Sport (S) mode .................................................. 7-32
Sport Sharp (S#) mode. ...................................... 7-32
SI-DRIVE selector .............................................. 7-32
Rear viscous limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped) .................................................... 7-33
Power steering ................................................... 7-33
Braking ............................................................... 7-34
Braking tips ....................................................... 7-34
Brake system .................................................... 7-34
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ............. 7-34
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .......................... 7-35
ABS system self-check ...................................... 7-35
Starting and operating
7 

problems which result from the use of 
improper fuel are not covered under the
SUBARU Limited Warranty.&
Fuel filler lid and cap
! Refueling
1. To open the fuel filler lid, pull the lid 
release lever. The lever is on the floor at
the left of the driver ’s seat.
Starting and operating
7-5
– CONTINUED –   

7-6Starting and operating
2. Open the fuel filler lid.
1) Open 
2) Close
3. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it 
slowly counterclockwise.
WARNING
. Gasoline vapor is highly flam-
mable. Before refueling, always 
first stop the engine and make
sure that there are no lighted
cigarettes, open flames or elec-
trical sparks in the adjacent area. .
When opening the cap, do not
remove the cap quickly. Fuel may
be under pressure and spray out
of the fuel filler neck especially in
hot weather, which may cause
injury.
4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel filler
pump automatically clicks off. Do not add
any more fuel. 
5. Put the cap back on, turn it clockwise 
until you hear a clicking noise. Be certain
not to catch the tether under the cap whiletightening. 
6. Close the fuel filler lid completely. If 
you spill any fuel on the painted surface,
rinse it off immediately. Otherwise, the
painted surface could be damaged.   

NOTE
.You will see the “”sign in the fuel
gauge. This indicates that the fuel filler 
door (lid) is located on the right side of
the vehicle.. If the fuel filler cap is not tightened
until it clicks or if the tether is caught
under the cap, the CHECK ENGINE
warning light/malfunction indicator
lamp may come on. Refer to the“ Warning and indicator lights ”section
located in chapter 3. 
(Turbo model only) Promptly put fuel in 
the tank whenever the low fuel warning
light comes on. Engine misfires as a
result of an empty tank could cause 
damage to the engine.
CAUTION
. Never add any cleaning agents to
the fuel tank. The addition of a 
cleaning agent may cause da-
mage to the fuel system.
. Make sure that the cap is tigh-
tened until it clicks to prevent
fuel spillage in the event of anaccident.
. Do not let fuel spill on the exterior
surfaces of the vehicle. Fuels
may cause paint damage, which
is not covered under the
SUBARU Limited Warranty.
. Always use a genuine SUBARU
fuel filler cap. If you use the
wrong cap, it may not fit or have
proper venting, and your fuel
tank and emission control sys-
tem might be damaged. State emission testing (U.S. only)
WARNING
Testing of an All-Wheel Drive vehicle 
must NEVER be performed on a
single two-wheel dynamometer. At-
tempting to do so will result in
uncontrolled vehicle movement and
may cause an accident or injuries to
persons nearby.
CAUTION
Resultant vehicle damage due to 
improper testing is not covered
under the SUBARU Limited War- 
ranty and is the responsibility of 
the state inspection program or its
contractors or licensees.
At state inspection time, remember to
tell your inspection or service station in
advance not to place your SUBARU
AWD vehicle on a two-wheel dynam-
ometer. Otherwise, serious transmis-
sion damage will result. 
Some states have started using dynam- 
ometers in their state inspection programs Starting and operating
7-7
– CONTINUED –  

New vehicle break-in driving–the first
1,000 miles (1,600 km) ..................................... 8-2
Fuel economy hints ............................................ 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ........... 8-2
Catalytic converter .............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections ........................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries ............................... 8-4
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ............................ 8-5
Off road driving ................................................... 8-6
All AWD models except OUTBACK ...................... 8-6
OUTBACK ........................................................... 8-6
Winter driving ...................................................... 8-8
Operation during cold weather ............................. 8-8
Driving on snowy and icy roads .......................... 8-9
Corrosion protection .......................................... 8-10
Snow tires ......................................................... 8-10 Tire chains
........................................................ 8-12
Rocking the vehicle ........................................... 8-13
Loading your vehicle ......................................... 8-13
Vehicle capacity weight ...................................... 8-14
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................ 8-15
Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) ................... 8-15
Trailer hitch (if equipped) .................................. 8-19
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-20
When you do not tow a trailer .. .......................... 8-21
Trailer towing ..................................................... 8-21
Warranties and maintenance .............................. 8-21
Maximum load limits .......................................... 8-22
Trailer hitches .................................................... 8-25
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-26
Trailer towing tips .............................................. 8-27Driving tips
8 

winter driving, stop when and where it is 
safe to do so and check under the fenders
periodically. !Parking in cold weather
WARNING
Snow can trap dangerous exhaust 
gases under your vehicle. Keep
snow clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around your vehicle if you park
the vehicle in snow with the enginerunning.
Do not use the parking brake when
parking for long periods in cold weather
since it could freeze in that position.
Instead, observe the following. 
1. Place the shift lever in “1 ” or “R ” for
manual transmission vehicles, and in “P ”
for automatic transmission vehicles.
2. Use tire stops under the tires to 
prevent the vehicle from moving. 
When the vehicle is parked in snow or 
when it snows, raise the wiper blades off
the glass to prevent damage to them. 
When the vehicle has been left parked 
after use on roads heavily covered with
snow, or has been left parked during a
snowstorm, icing may develop on the
brake system, which could cause poor braking action. Check for snow or ice
buildup on the suspension, disc brakes
and brake hoses underneath the vehicle.
If there is caked snow or ice, remove it,
being careful not to damage the disc
brakes and brake hoses and ABS har-ness. !
Refueling in cold weather
To help prevent moisture from forming in 
the fuel system and the risk of its freezing,
use of an antifreeze additive in the fuel
tank is recommended during cold weather. 
Use only additives that are specifically 
designed for this purpose. When an
antifreeze additive is used, its effect lasts
longer if the tank is refilled whenever the
fuel level reaches half empty. 
If your SUBARU is not going to be used 
for an extended period, it is best to have
the fuel tank filled to capacity. & Driving on snowy and icy roads
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control on 
slippery roads such as snowy or icy
roads. This may cause loss of
vehicle control.
CAUTION
Avoid prolonged continuous driving 
in snowstorms. Snow will enter the
engine ’s intake system and may
hinder the air flow, which could
result in engine shutdown or evenbreakdown.
To prevent skidding and slipping, avoid
sudden braking, abrupt acceleration, high-
speed driving, and sharp turning when
driving on snowy or icy roads. 
Always maintain ample distance between 
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you
to avoid the need for sudden braking. 
To supplement the foot brake, use the 
engine brake effectively to control the
vehicle speed. (Shift into a lower gear 
when necessary.) 
Avoid shifting down abruptly. Such beha- 
vior can cause the wheels to lock, possibly
leading to loss of vehicle control. 
An anti-lock brake system (ABS) en- 
hances your vehicle ’s braking perfor-
mance on snowy and icy roads. Refer tothe “ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ”and
“ Vehicle Dynamics Control system ”sec-
tion in chapter 7 for information on braking
on slippery surfaces. Driving tips
8-9
– CONTINUED –